Considering the many meritorious leadership initiatives, worthy of emulation, of the first civilian Governor of the old Imo State, with projects dotting every nooks and crannies of the State, but never sited any in his home soil, except for the Avutu Poultry that has become moribond, the Imo State House Of Assembly has called for the immortalization of His Excellency Dee Sam Onunaka Mbakwe, with the establishment of a Tertiary Institution in Obowo, named after him.
This was the outcome of the House Plenary activity on Tuesday 29/04/2025.
Presenting the Motion, the Chief Sponsor and Member Representing Obowo State Constituency, Rt Honourable Kennedy Chidozie Ibeh, explained that the history of Imo State would not be told without the name Dee Sam Onunaka Mbakwe, as his record of service has become the yardstick to measure purposeful development and leadership.
According to Rt Honourable Kennedy Ibeh, “Despite the many durable legacy projects of Dee Sam Mbakwe, no State Institution that could ensure the Socio-Economic development of Obowo LGA was established, except for Avutu Poultry, which paralyzed immediately after Dee Sam Mbakwe’s tenure. Obowo appears to have been abandoned, remained underdeveloped and marginalized by successive Administrations, despite donating the vast parcel of land for the establishment of that Avutu Poultry (Imo Modern Poultry), which in itself was abandoned”.
Sounding very optimistic and confident that the iconic former Governor would be immortalized in his local government, Obowo, the Prolific lawmaker noted that the administration of His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma is sensitive to the development of local governments in the State. He also commended Governor Uzodimma for appreciating the contributions of Dee Sam Mbakwe to the development of old Imo State, comprising of Abia State, Ebonyi State and the present Imo State. He further appreciated the Infrastructure Governor for taking it upon himself to reconstruct and renovate the Country Home of the Iconic former Governor, Dee Sam Onunaka Mbakwe.
Calling on his Honourable Colleagues to lend their voices to the Motion which received popular support, the Vibrant Ranking Lawmaker said that the Establishment of a Tertiary Institution in Obowo in Dee Sam Mbakwe’s name will reignite the Socio-Economic development of the local government. Rt Honourable Kennedy Ibeh also called for the reconstruction of the only tarred road in Obowo which transversed six communities built by Dee Sam Mbakwe and which also passed through his country home.
The Motion which was seconded by Hon Engr Bernard Ndubuisi Ozoemelam, Member Representing Ehime Mbano State Constituency, was co-sponsored by the following lawmakers :
- Rt Honourable Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu.
- Hon Uche Francis Agabige.
- Hon Sam Ikechukwu Osuji.
- Hon Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie.
- Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi.
- Hon Johnleoba Iheoha.
- Gilbert Chiedozie Nwosu.
- Hon Emeka Kingsley Ozurumba.
- Hon Johnson Iheonukara Duru.
- Hon Ikenna Martins Ihezuo.
- Hon Princewill Ugochukwu Amuchie.
- Hon Ozioma Worship Benneth Ebonine.
- Hon Chigozie Nwaneri.
- Hon Uzoma Francis Osuoha.
- Hon Bernard Ndubuisi Ozoemelam.
- Hon Obinna Ambrose Egu.
The following lawmakers supported the Motion with commendable submissions :
- Rt Honourable Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu (Deputy Speaker).
- Hon Barrister Ikenna Martins Ihezuo (Orlu).
- Hon Prince Obinna Ambrose Egu (Ngor-Okpala).
- Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi (Majority Leader).
- Hon Chigozie Nwaneri (Chief Whip).
- Hon Chief Chidiebere Samuel Ogbunikpa (Okigwe).
- Hon Dr Uzoma Francis Osuoha (Ohaji-Egbema).
- Hon Princewill Ugochukwu Amuchie (Minority Leader).
- Hon Chief Johnleoba Iheoha (Ikeduru).
- Hon Engr Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie (Mbaitoli).
- Hon Dr Henry Agbasonu Ezinnihitte (Mbaise).
In their respective submissions, the supporting lawmakers described Dee Sam Onunaka Mbakwe as a leader who has remained a recurring decimal in Imo State, due to his development oriented leadership. Further describing the former Governor as a hero who was selfless, they stated that he distributed social and economic amenities across the old Imo State without discrimination, and therefore deserves to be immortalized in his local government area, Obowo.
Satisfied with the superlative submissions of his Honourable Colleagues, the Speaker, Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe, who presided, put it to vote and it was unanimously adopted. Thereafter, he Ruled as follows :
- Be It Resolved By This Honourable House To Urge His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodimma To Recover Obowo LGA from Socio-Economic Atrophy By The Establishment Of A Tertiary Institution In Obowo And Name Same After Sam Onunaka Mbakwe.
- Be It Further Resolved By This Honourable House To Urge His Excellency The Governor To Direct The Ministry Of Works To Ensure The Immediate Reconstruction Of The Only Tarred Road In Obowo That Traverses Six Communities Built By Sam Mbakwe Called “Mbakwe Road”.
The Clerk was directed to communicate the Resolution of the House to His Excellency the Governor.
Citizen Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha
29/04/2025
